Chapter 227
Xander fixed his gaze intently on Athena, scanning for any signs of injury. In his eyes, there was a subtle mixture of surprise and admiration.
How bold of her to walk into danger alone, Xander thought. Was she really so certain I’d come to her rescue? At this thought, Xander’s heart swelled with joy. Does this mean I hold a special place in Athena’s heart? he wondered.
The moment Xander’s words faded, panic instantly flashed across Henry’s face. Never had Henry imagined Xander would personally consent to back Athena up over such a trivial matter. Moreover, Xander appeared absolutely furious. Though Xander’s voice was low, it sent chills down Henry’s spine.
“Forgive me, Prince Xander,” Henry blurted out, rushing forward to explain. But just as he opened his mouth, Xander stopped him.
Only after confirming Athena was unharmed did Xander finally turn his attention to those who deserved punishment.
Xander eyed Nicolas with a piercing glare and sneered, “How bold of you, Lord Nicolas, to dare bully my princess. You’ve truly outdone yourself.”
As the final syllable faded, Ansel Grimes stepped forward and struck the hollow of Nicolas’s knee with his sword scabbard. A searing pain shot through Nicolas’s leg, making him collapse to his knees with a dull thud. The agonizing pain forced a stifled grunt from Nicolas’s lips. Even with the stabbing pain radiating from his knee, Nicolas clenched his teeth and endured.
Suddenly, the memory of how he had punished Athena flashed through Nicolas’s mind. When Athena first returned to the manor, he had forced her to kneel just like this all night.
So this is what it feels like to be forced to kneel. It’s far more humiliating than I imagined, Nicolas thought bitterly. He was starting to understand why Athena hated him so much.
A hand on his head forced Nicolas to suppress his emotions and bend himself even lower. “Please calm your anger, Prince Xander,” he pleaded. “I swear I had no such intent.”
For a long moment, Xander remained still and silent. Just as Nicolas was puzzling over the silence, Athena’s mocking voice cut through the air. “You dared to have the manor guards detain me. What wouldn’t you dare to do, Lord Nicolas? As an official in the Justice Ministry, you break the very laws you’re supposed to uphold. What punishment do you deserve for that?”
Nicolas’s head snapped up, staring at Athena in utter disbelief. He never imagined she would betray him at such a crucial moment. She was flaunting her status as Xander’s princess and weaponizing his official position against him.
Is she trying to destroy me completely? Nicolas thought, panic rising in his chest.
Nicolas panicked, his earlier bravado completely gone. Stammering frantically, he pleaded, “Prince Xander, I swear, I would never dare do such a thing! Grandmother is gravely ill, and I only wanted Athena to stay at the manor to fulfill her familial duties. She…she must have misunderstood me!”
“Lord Nicolas, you poisoned Grandmother and still dare to call it a misunderstanding?” Athena pointed at the manor guards in the courtyard, her voice sharp with accusation. “Is this how you show hospitality? By blocking my way with armed guards? If Prince Xander hadn’t arrived, were you planning to tie me up and keep me under house arrest in this manor?”
“No, no, that’s not it,” Nicolas stammered, still trying to deny it, but Xander had already lost all patience and cut him off.
Xander turned to Athena and saw indignation ablaze on her face. She reminded him of a defiant young deer, standing her ground and demanding justice for herself.
Xander took a deep breath as he picked out the important points in Athena’s speech. “Poisoning Lady Margaret…Is this true?”
Athena nodded emphatically. “It doesn’t matter. The truth will come out under severe interrogation.”
Henry stared at Athena in horror. “This is merely a misunderstanding. How could things get so out of hand?”
He rushed to plead with Xander, “Your Highness, Athena’s words are utterly unreliable! I have thoroughly investigated the matter. It was entirely the cook’s careless mistake, and she had already confessed!”
An attendant brought over an armchair for Xander. With a sweep of his robes, Xander took a seat.
A chilling smile spread across Xander’s otherwise ice-cold face. “If my princess says there’s foul play, then there must be foul play,” he stated. “And since I’m already here, I’ll personally ensure this case is thoroughly investigated. On behalf of the Duke, of course.”
With that, Xander gave a slight wave of his hand. Immediately, the Aegis Guards seized Nicolas and dragged Matthew out from his hiding spot nearby.
With a chilling smile, Xander turned to Henry, “Tell me, Duke,” he said smoothly, “shall we settle this at the Justice Ministry, or right here in your manor?”
If this goes to the Justice Ministry, the whole capital will know. The family’s disgrace would be widely known then.
Henry gnashed his teeth in silent fury. Prince Xander is deliberately backing me into a corner, he thought bitterly.
“Father, save me! Save me!” Matthew screamed, his features contorted in terror as he pleaded over and over, utterly devoid of any noble bearing. He was forcibly held down on the torture bench, completely immobilized. Nearby, attendants with wooden paddles in hand already awaited the order.
Henry knew that Xander was avenging Athena, and Xander would not let the matter rest until the full truth came to light. Henry glanced between his two sons, a painful decision settling in his mind.
“H–here…in the manor,” he stammered, each word heavy with reluctant finality.
Nicolas’s face twisted with fury as he shouted defiantly, “I am an official of the Justice Ministry! Prince Xander, how dare you take the law into your own hands and administer punishment without proper judicial proceedings?”
Nicolas had hoped to intimidate Xander by invoking the law, but Xander merely took a leisurely sip of coffee, then looked up at Nicolas with a faint, mocking smile. “Oh? Is that so?” Xander replied.
With deliberate calm, he drew the imperial rod from his sleeve and set it on the table. It was a symbol of absolute authority bestowed by the late emperor.
His voice dropped, cold and commanding. “This imperial rod was granted by the late emperor. With it, I can punish tyrants and ministers alike. Now, do I have the authority or not?”
Xander’s expression was icy, his eyes glinting with scorn. “Don’t flatter yourself, I could even discipline your father with this very rod.” As the last syllable left Xander’s lips, he smashed the cup to the floor.
“Beat them. Make it brutal,” Xander commanded coldly.
Soon, the sickening thuds of heavy blows striking flesh echoed from the courtyard. Nicolas clenched his teeth and endured silently, while Matthew howled in agony after just a few strikes.
Athena watched the scene unfold with an impassive gaze. This is nothing compared to what Grandmother endured. Mere physical pain is the least they deserve, Athena thought coldly.
Henry was heart-wrenchingly agonized. Recognizing Athena’s crucial place in Xander’s heart, Henry frantically pleaded with her, his voice trembling, “Athena, they’re your own brothers! How can you stand by and watch them suffer like this?”
Each blow that landed on his sons hurt Henry’s heart. If possible, he would have gladly taken their place and borne the pain for them. Prince Xander isn’t just punishing us physically, he’s hurting our very souls, Henry thought bitterly.
“Did they ever consider the consequences when they poisoned Lady Margaret?” Athena retorted with icy sarcasm.
Athena shot Henry a mocking look. “Why so anxious, Duke? They haven’t even been convicted yet.”
She continued, her voice turning icy, “But don’t harbor any illusions. If a few hits can’t get the truth out, the eighteen forms of torture surely will loosen their tongues. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Henry stared at Athena, his face ashen and his eyes heavy with bitter disappointment. Yet at this moment, he dared not utter a single harsh word. He could only glare at her with smoldering fury, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
With Athena adamantly refusing to let the matter drop, Henry knew that someone had to be the scapegoat. As Duke, there was no way Henry would be the scapegoat. Nicolas, as the future heir, is also untouchable. This only leaves Matthew, the worthless second son.
Henry burst into tears, turned to Matthew, and pointed an accusing finger at him. Pleading, Henry cried, “Stop beating him! Admit it! It was Matthew who brought the poisonous mushrooms to the kitchen. He alone is responsible!”